Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-01-13

good-he! he! he! That is really too
funny. Pardon me-" I stammered; I
knew not whether I was standing on my
feet or on my head. Paint, powder,
false hair! Mother of Moses! turned
quickly towards her; by heaven! she did
not wear those chestnut brown locks
from which I had clipped tiny tress,
SO fondiy cherished and so often kissed.
All, no! 1 had the rest at home on the
table!
81 don't understand you," whispered
Emily, as she cast reproachful chances
upon me.
"You cannot know" replied, in con-
fusion, looking, [ am sure, as red as
boiled lobster, show I regret your mis-
fortune. You may find the unhappy per-
sonage who"
cat all events man." she said, ''for I
found in the very top"
She stopped suddenly and bit her thin
lips.
"You opened the valise?''
"To be sure, through mistake, these lit
| tie locks are all alike, and I did not see
my error till /"
I knew what it was; yes, they lay at the
very top.
Found little BOOK she went on,
''that is, sheets of paper fastened togeth-
er--poems. And, Harry, if you could but
read them!"
/ looked at her in amazement.
Yes, had totally forgotten the cursed
poem.
"You would have laughed yourself to
death over theIn," she ran on, now who'll
ly self-composcd again. give read many
a silly poem, but such midnight moon
Shina Iowa o1ob
suicidal negotiations, and extalvagant
idiotic morbidness, 1 never saw N nv
life. They were too amusing for any
thing"
But" stammered, and it seemed as
though the hot blood would burst the
veins in my forehead.
''Some grocery clerk" she laughed.
'The cramped handwriting betrayed him.
1t had cost me dollar and a half to have
them copied neatly-'you must come
and call tomorrow. Then you can read
the stuff yourself. shall send the valise
to an acquaintance, under whose address
I'll advertise the thing"
This was too much, my pulses beat as
a fever, my face burned and words stuck
in my throat. At this instant the music
struck up again.
"Come, Harry" she whispered, and gave
my hand slight pressure, ''the dance is
just beginning"
was led against my will into the
groups of dancers, but in my heart [ was
desperate. Finally my pent-up wrath
broke loose. I would escape at all haz-
ards. tore myself loose from her grasp
I gave one leap towards the door. I
cried-no, did not cry shivering ire
NOR ran over my body. I had forgotten
the light pants, and / felt with horrible
distinctness that something had given
way. It seemed to me that all eyes were
upon me, and that could hear smother
ed laughter. But no! it was my fancy.
No one had noticed me in the confusion
of arranging the sets, and there was yet
time to escape. Like a flash 1 ran over
in my mind the possible methods. To
seign nose-bleed seemed the only plausi-
bic one. It was impossible for me to get
to the dressing room without crossing a
wide, open space, where l would surely
be seen. [ hastily put my handkerchief
to my nose, NODDED to Emily, and made
my way through the crowd to the dress
ing-room without attracting attention,
seized my coat and hat and rushed out
into the open air. How delicious the
cool breeze felt on my throbbing temples
hurried along, driven by the raging
tumult in my heart. All! the bitterness
of having been deceived! "My beautiful
Emily! To think that had been fool
enough to make love to that old made-up
firt: The thought CALLED me.
''I'n get off on the early train," 1 said
to myself, as crept into bed, after reach
Ing Jacks room. The unhappy contents
of Emily's handbag still lay upon the
fob &ro5
presence of those proofs of her untruth-
full nature made the night one long series
of evil dreams.
all of you," were the first words I heard
as [ awoke. 1t was broad daylight, and
he stood by the bed, grinning at me.
"Why did you run off last EVENING"" he
grumbled, EMILY inquired for you a doz-
en- times"
'sEmily!" That name gave me strength
again.
"Jack," said I, do you believe in an evil
spirit?''
He looked at me moment with puz-
zled expression.
"Do you know to whom that handbag
belongs?" continued.
"Why to some actress, I suppose, iudg-
ing from the paint and truck"
Jack" said I, "there are some things
in this world that can't be told by word
of mouth. I'll w1ite you all about it. 1t
is just 9:35, and the train leaves at 1920.
Send my luggage, and you can lend me
these trousers little longer" added, as
hurriedly dressed.
Nov, you aren't going off this way"
urged Jack; "what will Emily say?"
"Give her my-kindest regards and
ask her if she will please re-exchange
valises.'
"Am I awake or asIeep?" cried Jack;
"this stuff belong to Emily?"
said nothing, and we went down stairs
in silence. 1 whistled cab from the cor
ner.
&c. & o. depot! Good-by, Jack, you'll
have letter from me day after tomor
row."
"Good-by."
1 just managed to catch the train, and
only felt easier as I knew we we're speed
ing away from the city in which I had ex-
perienced such a sad disappointment and
such fortunate disillusion.
l wrote to Emily the same evening, con-
Tossing nv unwOrthiness hut hODinp for